The city faded in her rearview mirror and was replaced by the familiar coastal road home. Celina replayed the scene with Dani in her head. The way her face had flushed pink, her voice sounding so helpless as she counted out the smacks. It had been delicious.
Gravel crunched under the tyres as Celina pulled up in her driveway. As she rounded the corner to the backyard, she spotted Jo, taking the washing off the line. She usually got home from work before Celina, and was dressed in her usual after-work attire: black yoga tights and a loose t-shirt. The very sight of her brought Celina a sense of calm that eclipsed everything else. When she heard Celina approaching, Jo turned. The gentle sea breeze caught a few strands of her long, dark hair, which momentarily floated and caught the light, before landing on her cheek. And then - the smile. Pure, effortless and warm. The sky, too, began to unravel with pinks and oranges bleeding into one another. The magnificence off it all stole any thought of words from Celina's mouth. She lifted her hands to cradle Jo's face and kissed her.
Jo's arms dropped the towel she was holding and wrapped around Celina's waist, her mouth opening to deepen the kiss. Celina felt her mind go quiet as Jo's tongue gently lapped at hers like the waves she heard in the distance.
Celina slowly pulled back, giving just enough distance to feel Jo's breath on her face.
"How was your day, Celina?" Jo asked softly. "Or did that kiss say it all?" She grinned and pushed a loose strand of Celina's short, curly, brown hair behind her ear.
"I had a chat with Dani." Celina replied.
"And?" asked Jo excitedly.
"I spanked her." Celina whispered.
"You did not!" Jo replied, a little too loud.
"Sssshhh!" Celina was worried about the neighbours hearing. "I'll tell you more inside.
When Celina stepped inside, she was met with the aroma of roasting chicken, lemon and rosemary. She quickly got changed into some well-worn shorts and a comfortable t-shirt. She checked on the roast chicken, its skin golden-brown. She heard the screen door open for Jo and the washing basket.
"Smells amazing." Celina said, as she pulled ingredients out of the fridge to create a quick, fresh garden salad. When Jo had put away the washing, she set the wooden table by the window, which allowed them to watch the remains of the sunset while they ate.
"So you spanked her." said Jo, stabbing her fork into a piece of broccoli. "How did she take it?"
"She was really nervous but she took it well. And then for the rest of the day she was intensely focused on her work. Like, maybe too focused. I had to remind her it was time to go home."
"Maybe you spanked her too hard!" Jo giggled.
Celina smiled and shrugged. "I was very careful."
"Was it hot?" Jo asked, her blue eyes sparkling over the rim of her glass of water.
"Of course it was! But I haven't even asked you yet. How was your day, Jo?"
While they finished their food, Jo retold an anecdote of a patient who asked if they should start a GoFundMe for self-diagnosed chronic toenail fungus.
"Save that one for after dinner next time, please." Celina said, amusement playing on her lips, though she was not entirely joking.
They finished their food, cleaned their dishes and sat on the charcoal grey couch together. Jo scooted close to Celina who draped her arm around her shoulder. When the credits rolled of Grace and Frankie, Jo piped up. "Cel, what if she doesn't meet her sales target?"
"I guess... I'll have to spank her again."
"What if she does meet her average sales target?"
"Well, I guess... with your permission..."
"You know it's fine, Celina. We agreed this could happen, as long as we talk about it with each other."
"I know... it's just it's the first time."
Jo nuzzled into Celina's shoulder.
"In the mean time, you can always practise on me." Jo leaned in and kissed her.
Celina deepened the kiss and pushed her tongue inside. Jo's mouth surrendered like butter on a warm saucepan. When Celina's kiss moved to Jo's neck, she smiled and said, "You're horny, aren't you?"
Celina chuckled and her cheeks flushed. "Maybe a little."